Pearl Jam Help Raise $300,000 for Flint Water Crisis, Open Crowdfunding Page for Relief

For nearly two years, the people of Flint, Mich., have experienced a significant water crisis. A dangerous amount of lead has been contaminating the city's water supply, causing sickness for thousands of Flint residents. In response, Pearl Jam has stepped up to help raise $300,000 in a relief effort.

Flint's drinking water problem occurred due to a water supply switchover. Instead of tapping their water from Detroit, they began pumping from the Flint River. The water from Flint ended up being dangerously corrosive as it flowed through a lead piping system, sending dangerous amounts of lead straight into people's homes. As you can see in various videos online, Flint's water turned brownish yellow in color. Some residents developed rashes and other forms of sickness. Flint officials have been heavily under fire, as many believe their reaction to the crisis has been underwhelming.

Pearl Jam decided to step in by pledging $125,000 of the band's own money for Flint water relief. Live Nation, the group’s record label Republic Records, Universal Music Publishing Group, William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, Glaser Progress Foundation, Brandi Carlile’s Looking Out Foundation and Ticketmaster threw in an additional $175,000 to the pot, bringing the total donation to $300,000.

The money will go toward the United Way of Genesee County's Flint Water Fund.

You can join the cause and pledge your own money to help the people of Flint. Fans have already given thousands to the initiative's official CrowdRise page. 100 percent of the money raised will go directly to the cause.